THE ASSOCIATION: The USS LITTLE
ROCK Association is a not-for-profit organization
with an IRC 501 (C19) tax status, incorporated
in New York State. Its membership is comprised
primarily of veterans of service in USS LITTLE
ROCK (CL 92) from 1945 to 1949, or the ship's modernized
configuration USS LITTLE ROCK (CLG
4) from 1960 to 1976.
The USS LITTLE ROCK Association Scholarship Program was initiated in 2001.
Following is the scholarship announcement that is sent each spring to all NROTC units by
the program office at the Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET) headquarters.
USS LITTLE ROCK NROTC SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
THE PROGRAM: The USS LITTLE ROCK Association will provide financial assistance, on an annual basis, to one or several deserving students enrolled in one of the NROTC Programs who are selected from a competitive group of applicants meeting the eligibility requirements, as set forth below. Specifically, grants of $1000 will be made to selected recipients entering their third academic year in any of the several NROTC programs (scholarship, college program, Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program, Seaman to Admiral, or Seaman to Admiral - 21). A follow-on grant of $1000 will be made to each previous award recipient who has satisfactorily completed the third year and is advancing into the fourth academic year within his/her NROTC program, subject to approval and certification by the NROTC unit commanding officer. While two students have received awards under this program in each of its previous eight years of existence, the number of annual awards will be based on the Association's evaluation of candidate merit and its financial ability to support this program.
ELIGIBILITY: NROTC students, as noted above, who are the children or direct descendants of active, retired, or honorably discharged members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, or their Reserve components; or who themselves are serving or have served in any of the Regular or Reserve sea services; or who are USS LITTLE ROCK Association "Junior Associates" who have been members in good standing for at least two years, are eligible for further consideration on the basis of individual merit. Candidates, otherwise eligible, must have demonstrated superior leadership qualities and aptitude for the service, and shall have achieved a cumulative grade point average (Cum GPA) of at least 3.0, in all accredited course work.
APPLICATION: Interested, qualified candidates may apply during their second academic year in letter format addressing each of the eligibility criteria and first endorsed by the Professor of Naval Science. (The letter shall contain text of approximately 500 words describing why the candidate considers him/herself worthy of the award.) A copy of the student's academic transcript or similar official record shall accompany the application. Applications/nominations must be received by NSTC, OD4 no later than 20 May 2009. Initial selection will be conducted by a duly comprised board within NSTC that is impaneled to perform this function for NROTC scholarship programs such as this. Selection results will be forwarded to the USS LITTLE ROCK Association Scholarship Committee for review of application packages and final selection.
AWARD: Award recipients will be notified by the USS LITTLE ROCK Association as soon as selection is final, and awards will be made as early as possible in the recipient's third academic year. Each first-year award will be in the form of a $1000 check made out to the individual and a framed certificate. Presentation will be made by a representative of the Association, or the check and certificate will be sent via the commanding officer of the NROTC unit for appropriate presentation. The second-year award will similarly be a $1000 check made out to the individual and sent via the unit commanding officer.
NSTC POC: Ms. Carrie Petway or Ms. Barbara Bowen at (850) 452-2823/4909.
CHANGE: Notice from the Scholarship Committee Chairman - July 2006
The Association Board of Directors, at their 2006 spring meeting, authorized a modification to the Scholarship Program. In addition to our current competition for NROTC candidates, the program was expanded in 2007 to provide an opportunity for qualifying college students who are direct descendants of USS LITTLE ROCK veterans to compete for awards. An Annual Announcement (call for candidates) will be included in LITCOMS in the winter edition and be placed on the website in February each year. Provisions of this new expansion are as shown below:
Offspring Program Application Requirements:
- Must be a direct descendant (child/grandchild/great grandchild) of a USS LITTLE ROCK veteran who is an active Association member.
- Must be a college student enrolled full time (at least 12 credit hours/semester) in an accredited 4-year program leading to a bachelor's degree.
- Must have completed 2nd year of college.
- Grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better as verified by an official transcript
- Written endorsement by academic counselor
- 500 word essay describing what they believe makes them worthy of the award
- 3 volunteers, as designated by the President.
- Will ensure applications are complete and that candidates meet all requirements.
- Redact names and all / any reference to the sponsoring Association member.
- Forward, approved, redacted applications to the Scholarship Committee w/o expressing any judgments on quality, merit, or relative standing.
- Evaluate all application packages, regardless of the source of eligibility, on the basis of merit alone.
- Stack those considered worthy in order of merit.
- Determine winner(s) based on order of competition and funding available.
- Report results to BOD, then Business meeting, at the Annual Reunion.
- Arrange for dissemination of the announcement via LITCOMS and the Association's website.
Questions regarding the Scholarship Program should be directed to Kent Siegel, Scholarship Committee Chairman, at:
Phone: (703) 360-8948, or e-mail: ksiegel@cox.net